Piha is a small coastal town on the western coast of Auckland. It is one of the most popular beaches in the area and a major day-trip destination for Aucklanders throughout the year, and especially in summer. There aren’t many carparks. And they fill up quickly.

Lion Rock

Lion Rock is the most iconic landmark, its profile from all angles, known nation-wide. The Rock sits between two beaches, offering people who climb it, spectacular views in all directions.

Tasman Lookout Track

The Tasman Lookout Track is a steep track with some steps ascending cliffs at the southern end of the beach. At the top, a short branch to the right leads to a lookout point over Piha and Taitomo Island. The track continues around the cliff-top to a second lookout overlooking The Gap. The lookout track is the best place to get views of Lion Rock

Piha Rescue

Piha is one of Auckland’s most famous surf beaches. It can be a very dangerous place to swim due to the rip currents. The water fools swimmers by appearing deceptively calm, obscuring strong rips, and people should stay out of the water if they aren’t confident swimmers.

A reality tv show called Piha Rescue is often filmed here depicting the surf livers efforts to save swimmers in trouble. The show highlights how dangerous it can be to swim here

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Te Henga or Bethells Beach is another beach in the Waitakere Ranges well worth a visit. Here you will also find, behind the sand dunes, Lake Wainamu – a popular swimming alternative to the rough west coast beaches. It is a geographically contained area with constrained vehicle access and limited parking capacity.

Bethells Beach is unique for its remoteness, in most other countries it would take hours to get out of civilisation, while Bethells is located just 40 minutes away from the heart of Auckland

Wanting to avoid the crowds? Head to Lake Wainamu. Walk through the water or over the dunes until you reach the lake, don’t forget a board to ride the dunes into the lake! To get to the falls take the loop track around the lake. Here the stream cascades over a series of small waterfalls towards the lake.

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Okura Bush Walk is a popular bush walk just north of Long Bay. It is very popular for walkers and runners alike.

This track takes you through regenerating coastal kauri forest along the Okura River estuary and edge of the Long Bay – Okura Marine Reserve to Karepiro Bay and historic Dacre Cottage, and on to Stillwater.

From Haighs Rd the track follows the Okura River estuary through mixed coastal forest, with groves of nikau, pohutukawa and regenerating kauri. After a 20 min hill climb the track drops down to the rivers edge where you may see a variety of wading birds such as stilts and oystercatchers.

If heading to Stillwater, you can follow the coastline at low tide, or take the overland track, climbing steeply above the coastal cliffs, with good views of Karepiro Bay and the Hauraki Gulf, before dropping back to the Weiti River estuary. From here the track follows the river, crossing private land to the Stillwater car park.

Kauri Dieback Disease

Kauri Dieback Disease is slowly killing our native Kauri trees but there are ways you can help prevent it. Simply spray the soles of your shoes with the disinfectant provided at the start of the walk, and stick to the path!

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Minnehaha is simply a little slice of paradise. It is a great secluded little beach that you can access through Minnehaha Ave or by walking along the coastal walk between Takapuna and Milford. Although it is very close to Takapuna, it is very secluded and its own beautiful bay.

The waves here are small making it a safe place to swim, although the water can be cold!

As Minnehaha is a little beach, there is just a small area of sand for you to relax on. However, there is also a large tree you can use to cover yourself from the sun if you need.

This picturesque spot is perfect for a picnic, a swim to beat the heat or just to soak up the sun on the beach. The views of Rangitoto Island and the Hauraki Gulf are incredible, so make sure you bring your camera to make the most of it.

Parking

There is a limited amount of road parks on Minnehaha Avenue so take that into consideration when planning your visit. Once you have parked then it’s just a short, steep concrete path through some bush onto the coastal concrete walkway until you reach the secret bay. You can often find fisherman on the rocks that are on either side of the bay.

Piha has many reasons to visit, but Kitekite Falls is reason alone to visit. Walk 20 minutes along the Kitekite track to get to the base of the three-tiered waterfall. We’d definitely advise you to take the 10 minute walk to reach the rock pools over looking the top of the falls.

Arguably the best waterfall in the Auckland region, Mokoroa Falls is definitely worth the visit. The walk to the lookout is just 30 minutes, but we definitely recommend walking down to the base of the falls and seeing them in all their glory. For those brave enough, make sure you enjoy a shower right under the falls!

Nothing beats a natural hot spring and Kerosene Creek provides the goods. Hidden down a dirt road which was once only known to locals, Kerosene Creek is starting to popular for people to relax in the natural warm water.

A perfect stop on the way to Raglan, Bridal Veil Falls is a sacred area that is home to special waterfall that is over 50m high. Although the stairs to the base of the falls look daunting, we’d definitely recommend making the journey to the bottom

Nothing quite beats a fresh water swimming pool, and the pool at the Old Cement Works in Warkworth is greater than your average pool. Bring the kids, bring your friends, bring your dog – there’s fun abound to be had whether you’re the sort to launch yourself from the banks into the water below or you’re more interested in soaking up the sun and staying dry.

Although technically closed, it is still possible to access Omanawa Falls. As it is one of the prettiest waterfalls around, a number of people choose to climb down to the base. We can’t recommend anyone going down, but if you choose to do so take extreme care as many people have been injured.

Famous for the Mermaid Pools to the north of the beach, Matapouri is definitely worth the visit. Although the path to the pools is steep and treacherous, you’ll be rewarded with the gorgeous rock pools.

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Whangarei Falls is located approximately 10 minutes away from Whangarei city centre. The falls are well marked and their are well maintained facilities there.

It takes less than 2 minutes to reach the upper lookout of the falls, although it is well worth the walk down to the base.

Whangarei Falls is fantastic place to visit and as such you will usually find plenty of people there. Fortunately there is ample space so you will always be able to find your own little spot.

Swimming

Swimming is very popular at Whangarei Falls. However it does come with some risks. At the top of the waterfalls there is a pool that is popular for young people and families. Here you will find heaps of people using a rope swing to make an entrance into the pool.

It is also popular to swim at the base of the falls where you can swim right up to the falls.

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The Blue Springs just don’t seem real. The clear aqua water is more associated with the tropical islands than little old NZ. It comes as no surprise that the Blue Spring supplied around 70% of New Zealand’s bottled water.

The Blue Spring is located near Putaruru in the middle of the Waikato. Whilst a far drive from Auckland, it is a perfect stop on your way to Rotorua, Taupo, or Gisborne. We stopped here on our way to Rotorua.

This place was once a secret. These days it has become a popular spot and features heavily on Instagram or The Urban List.

The spring is fed from the Mamaku Plateau where the water takes up to 100 years to filter through. The resulting water is so pure and clean that it produces a beautiful blue colour while being virtually clear.

Because of environmental damage to the area, as of 2016 swimming is prohibited at the Blue Springs

The Walk

The Te Waihou Walkway to the springs follows a track alongside the Waihou River, across rolling pastoral land and features views of small waterfalls, native bush and the famous Blue Spring with glimpses of trout along the way.

From the carpark, it takes around 5 minutes to catch your first glimpse of the blue springs, with the walk taking approximately 25 minutes.

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Kerosene Creek is a small hot spring located between Rotorua and Taupo. Because of its location, it is a perfect spot to visit when travelling between the two cities. It is also very close to the popular attraction Wai-O-Tapu

Kerosene Creek was a well-hidden secret to locals, but it is now becoming more well-known and visited. It is one of the real gems of the Rotorua region, and is one of the few things yet to be commercialised in the area.

The facilities here are basic to say the least. There is no toilet or long drop, and there is a small iron changing shed. There isn’t even a rubbish bin there so remember to take away all your rubbish.

Pro Tip: Don’t wear white swimwear, they are likely to get covered in mud

Getting There

Follow State Highway 5 south from Rotorua towards Taupo for about 30km. After passing the turnoff to Murupara on your left and Lake Ngahewa on your right, turn left on to Old Waiotapu Rd.

Follow this gravel road for 2.2 km (about 3 minutes) until you see a grass verge on the right, where you can park your vehicle. Once you have found the carpark located on Old Walotopu Road, the walk to the creek is approximately 5-10 minutes.

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Omanawa Falls is located 20 minutes away from Tauranga and is the location of the first hydroelectric power station in the Southern Hemisphere

Omanawa Falls is one of the prettiest waterfalls in the country. However since the reopening of the power station there, the waterfall has been reduced to a trickle compared to what it once was.

The falls were once relatively unknown, but have become increasingly popular thanks to posts on Instagram and other social media.

From the lookout you can get a good view of the waterfalls, however many people choose to make their own path down to the base so they can take better pictures.

Council Closure

The council has officially closed Omanawa Falls, although that hasn’t deterred many visitors sneaking past the gate. As of 2017, the council is thinking about reopening Omanawa Falls and making it safe for people to access

Getting to the bottom

The walk to the bottom of the falls is very dangerous and should be treated as such. We can’t recommend anyone going down, but if you choose to do so take extreme care as many people have been injured.

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The East Coast Bays Cliff Walk is one of the most breathtaking views on the North Shore. It is possible to walk from Campbells Bay to Rothesay Bay and the majority of the walk is off-leash so you and your dog can get some exercising while taking in all the views.

As the walk goes over the cliffs between the bays, it goes without saying that the walk will involve lots of climbs and descents.

The walks over the cliffs are off leash at all times for dogs, but most of the beaches require you to put your dog on a leash so make sure you check the requirements before you head off on your journey.

Rothesay Bay

Rothesay Bay will be the last or first beach on your walk depending where you start from.
You will find quite a small beach but it also has a large grass park which is perfect for your doggie to roam around off leash.
During summer and between 10am and 5pm, dogs are prohibited from the sand, but are allowed on the grass area provided they are on leash. At all other times dogs are allowed to be off leash.

Churchill Beach

Churchill Beach is a tiny beach you will find tucked away in between Rothesay Bay and Murrays Bay. Dogs are allowed off leash here all the time so it is a perfect spot for your dog to cool off. Be careful of the tide, as at high tide the beach becomes almost non-existent.

Murrays Bay

Murrays Bay is a popular beach that you will stop at. At Murrays Bay you can take your dog along the wharf and even jump off if you’re brave enough.
During summer and between 10am and 5pm, dogs are prohibited from the sand, but are allowed on the grass area provided they are on leash. At all other times dogs are allowed to be off leash.
For more information Murrays Bay, click here

Mairangi Bay

Mairangi Bay is also a popular beach on the shore. It is is also flooded with cafes and restaurants you can grab a bite if you need to.
During summer and between 10am and 5pm, dogs are prohibited from the sand, but are allowed on the grass area provided they are on leash. At all other times dogs are allowed to be off leash.